BEAST (MMA Bad Boys Book 1) by L. Grubb Read Free Book Online Page A

like that. Ever.
    She’s just another bitch, she’s just another bitch , I chant in my head. I don’t have time to get tangled up in a woman, especially a fellow fighter. Don’t get me started on her attitude. I have no room for a new challenge, it’s doesn’t matter how fucking hot her body is.
    “Then why the long face? She’s your friend, no?” Ma’s Italian accent hasn’t disappeared and seems to be as strong as ever, I don’t find it comforting anymore. My father ruined the accent for anyone else.
    “No, Ma. She’s just someone I bumped into. She has a bad attitude.” I scrub a hand down my face and hope to God that Carlotta doesn’t notice me sitting here. I would say I’m trying to make myself get smaller, but that’s impossible with me. I’m not named Beast for nothing.
    “So, no romance?” Ma’s inquisition is unwarranted but she’s been hoping for me to find a woman to settle down with, even though she knows it’s impossible for me to. I can’t bring her into the mess my father got me into. With Carlos shadowing me, I can’t risk anyone else’s life. I may be a bastard but I don’t wish harm on people that don’t deserve it, excluding fights because I have no choice.
    “Ma,” I say in a warning tone. “Don’t. Go. There.” My teeth a gritted so hard that I’m afraid they’ll break, but anger is creeping in and I don’t want to get mad at her. Taking a deep breath through my nose and blowing it out slowly, I look at Ma, my eyes pleading with her to drop that conversation.
    “Beast. Pleasure to see you again.” Carlotta. She’s just over my shoulder and I have to clench my fists to stop myself from reaching out to her. I can feel my control and resolve slipping as her flowery scent invades my nostrils.
    “Carlotta.” I growl from deep in my chest and my Ma and Carlotta’s eyes widen in surprise.
    Carlotta’s chin lifts a little and she turns her attention to Ma. “Two glasses of house white wine please, Gina.”
    “Sure thing, sweety. I’ll have them brought over for you.” She shoos Carlotta away with a wave of the hand and goes about making the drinks as I sit there and stare at the back of Carlotta as she walks away, I’m not going to lie, her arse looks fucking sexy in those jeans. I catch myself before I start licking my lips. Knock it off, Beast, she’s already in the circuit and you don’t want to pull her in any fucking further , this thought slaps me in the face and I close my eyes, looking away from the only woman that has ever captured my attention. Sure, I have women that tickle my fancy, but they’re one night only and that’s just to satisfy my dick. No one will ever steal my heart. No one will ever knock down the walls I built to protect myself. No woman deserves the shit they’ll get from the bosses above if they were caught in a relationship with me. This is one thing my Ma never understands about the whole thing; it’s why she’s forever pushing me to settle down. I can’t. Ever. The sooner she understands that I won’t do it, the quicker she can move the fuck on from the same shit she pushes on me every fucking time I come to see her.
    “Ma, I’m leaving. Call if you need anything.” I salute her as I slip off my stool. I can feel eyes drilling holes into my head, I know they’re Carlotta’s by the tingling goosebumps that run down both of my arms. I grit my teeth and shove the glass doors of the restaurant open and walk fast toward my Conquest Knight XV beast of a car.
    I chose this car because I felt it protected me from everything and everyone on the outside. I know it does what I hope it would because I always feel safe when I’m locked inside. It’s the only one in England and I have men drooling over it. Yeah, my car is as much of a fucking badass as I am.
    Pressing the ignition button, I rev the engine and smile as the engine growls to life. Checking my mirrors, I check for a clearance in the afternoon traffic before easing out